Joseph Eke (L) sentenced to 18 years for the murder of two-year-old Harry House

Joseph Eke showed no emotion as he was sentenced to serve a minimum of 18 years for the murder of Harry House on May 26 last year.

The 22-year-old inflicted the "catastrophic" fatal injuries when he "lost his temper" while left alone with the toddler at their family home in Broadmayne, Dorset, for a few minutes while the child's mother had popped to the shops.

In a statement read to the court, Harry's mother Lauren O'Neill said of the defendant: "He has ruined so many people's lives and not shown an ounce of remorse. We are truly heart-broken, he was such a special boy."

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CCTV of Joseph Eke

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CCTV of Joseph Eke in a police interview

Following a three-week trial, a jury at Winchester Crown Court found Eke guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm.

She added that Miss O'Neill had been "in denial" about the abuse carried out by Eke in the last days of Harry's life which had left him covered in bruises and suffering from broken ribs which was the subject of the GBH charge.

She said: "No-one will ever know the full extent of your mistreatment of Harry."